Postgraduate Certificate in Trauma-Transformative Support
Course details
| NZQF Level | 8 |
|---|
About the course
Gain the knowledge, cultural competence, and practical skills to respond to people affected by trauma.
Available from 2027
The Postgraduate Certificate in Trauma-Transformative Support will be offered from 2027.
In the Postgraduate Certificate in Trauma-Transformative Support (PGCertTSS), you’ll learn the key principles of effective trauma support.
You’ll build understanding of trauma, how different types of trauma affect people at different times. You’ll also study the impacts of trauma on people, families, whānau, communities, and systems. Learn how people respond to trauma and how systems contribute to retraumatisation and healing.
You can continue your study with the Postgraduate Diploma in Trauma-Transformative Support (PGDipTSS). In the Diploma, you’ll apply the principles and perspectives of trauma-transformative support. You'll also learn the skills to lead and implement change in your organisation.
Who can study for this qualification
The PGCertTSS is ideal if you work with trauma survivors or plan to in the future. It suits education professionals, health professionals, social workers, and other community workers.
It's also suitable for graduates looking to deepen their knowledge of trauma and its impacts. You'll learn about trauma-transformative support and practice.
The programme's structure allows you to study online in manageable stages while working. You’ll learn to reflect on your own practice, build key skills, and apply your learning in real-world settings.
How you’ll study
If you study full time you’ll take two courses worth 60 points in one trimester.
You’ll learn with:
- weekly online modules with readings, interactive tasks, and self-quizzes
- online, pre-recorded lectures with captions and recorded interviews with experts, advocates, and practitioners
- live online tutorials for one-to-one support
- assessment modules with assignment guidelines, resources, and how-to videos to help with assessment tasks
- live seminars on hot topics, perspectives, and practice issues (recorded for viewing later)
- discussion boards to connect with classmates and build community/whanaungatanga
- webinars with guest speakers, experts, advocates, researchers, practitioners, and people with lived experience.
Why Te Herenga Waka
Te Herenga Waka is the first university in New Zealand to offer a staircased trauma-transformative programme that equips graduates to lead systemic change beyond trauma awareness and trauma-informed care. The Faculty of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences provides the expertise behind the programme, helping you explore trauma as a complex practice and systems issue.
What you'll learn
The PGCertTSS combines the latest research, perspectives, and evidence-based practice. It also draws on holistic, traditional, and Indigenous knowledge and approaches. You'll learn from experts in education, health, and psychological sciences.
You’ll be at the forefront of trauma-transformative practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. You’ll have the research-led, lived-experience-informed, and culturally grounded expertise to understand:
- the causes, prevalence, and impacts of trauma
- how people respond to trauma
- what effective, responsive and transformative support looks like
- the skills and confidence to collaborate with individuals, whānau and communities, and lead meaningful, system-level change.
Future careers
You’ll be equipped for trauma-informed practice and leadership across different sectors:
Education
- youth worker, child and adolescent services, family support worker, and disability services
- educator, teacher (early childhood, primary and secondary, tertiary)
- resource teaching and behaviour specialist, Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO), teaching assistant.
Health
- counsellor
- psychologist (including educational psychology)
- therapist
- crisis response team (traumatic incident management team, civil defence response team)
- social worker (working with children, young people and families, housing, and refugee and migrant communities)
- mental health (support worker, addiction support worker)
- GP, nurse, or midwife
- health and safety officer
- suicide prevention and postvention coordinator
- NGOs (working with vulnerable populations) and registered charities.
Justice
- corrections officer or probation officer
- police, police prosecutor, or court official
- age concern and elder abuse team.
Continue your study
After finishing your PGCertTTS, you can continue your studies with the Postgraduate Diploma in Trauma-Transformative Support (PGDipTTS).
The Certificate in Trauma-Transformative Support is a standalone qualification, but you can use the courses from your Certificate toward related Master’s qualifications (provided you meet the grade and entry requirements), including:
Please note, you will need to relinquish your certificate or diploma and complete extra points, mandatory courses, or research components—such as a dissertation, thesis, or coursework—required for the full Master's qualification.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Financial support
You can get support to stay on top of your finances by downloading our money management resources or by meeting with one of our student finance advisers.
We can show you how to manage your student loan or allowance, and help you sort out your budget. For students facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for support from the Hardship Fund. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get government or community support. Talk to a student finance adviser Financing your study
Join our postgraduate community
Postgraduate study at Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff, and future colleagues. You’ll have opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions.
The Postgraduate Students’ Association can also give you information on study at the University and provides a voice for you on campus.
Entry requirements
Domestic entry requirements
A Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Teacher Education, Health, health-related disciplines such as Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Counselling, or a related discipline, or a Bachelor’s degree and teaching qualification.
English language requirements
You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
About the provider
Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, was founded in 1897 and is one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious universities. The University is located in the heart of New Zealand’s vibrant capital city and its three city campuses are all within easy walking distance of one another, as well as local attractions, shopping districts, and cafés.
The University’s central location gives students access to a
variety of national organisations in the areas of business, government,
politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, as well as
the science and technology communities. Wellington is a compact city where
students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and
events. It is multicultural, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great
food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Victoria University of Wellington at a glance
- Top 1% of the world's universities for research quality and teaching
- 170+ subjects
- 20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes
- 40+ research institutes and 4 libraries
- 3,000 of our 17,000 students are international students, from 120+ countries
- 130+ clubs and societies
- 5+ stars from the latest QS Stars Rating of Excellence
- #1 in New Zealand for research intensity (in the latest assessment of the Performance-Based Research Fund)
- Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA
- Top 2% of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2026)
- Top 100 in the world in 7 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
Graduate outcomes*
- Of the graduates who responded that they are currently working full time, 91% were employed prior to or within 6 months of degree completion.
- 67% were in full-time employment.
*Based on those who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey.
Entry requirements
To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need:
- a good command of the English language
- a good record of academic achievement.
Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The University considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications. If a student doesn’t meet entry requirements, our team can help them meet their study goals.
If a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for:
- English language - Students can apply for our English for Academic Purposes programme
- Undergraduate study - Students can apply for our Foundation Studies programme
- Postgraduate study - Students can talk to us to help build a pathway to their degree
The University offers complete support for students through a range of wellbeing and learning services. These include a specialised international team that is dedicated to supporting students during their studies, which helps international students meet new friends and settle into university and Wellington life.
Some of the support services include:
- dedicated international student orientation and events
- a free arrival meeting service at the airport
- the International Buddy Programme, where you get paired with a ‘buddy’ from the get-go
Students can make the most of the many opportunities to get
involved in different communities, embrace new experiences, and develop skills
for their future careers. The university encourages all students to develop
strong global citizenship skills through their studies and extracurricular
programmes such as the Kitea
Impact Programme, which is also free to join.